Criticising government is not a crime, says UN human rights chief

GOVERNMENTS should not to treat criticism against them as a crime, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has said.

In a message to mark Human Rights Day (today), the UN envoy said governments worldwide should release all persons detained for peacefully exercising their rights.

The day was this year dedicated to human rights defenders.

Pillay decried the harassment and torture of human rights defenders.

She said it was wrong and an infringement of human rights to detain people for defending democratic principles and human rights.

e should do our utmost to support those who defend human rights,?she said.

Pillay noted that every year, thousands of human rights defenders are harassed, abused, unjustly jailed and murdered.

hat is why Human Rights Day 2010 is dedicated to human rights defenders and their courageous battle to stop discrimination. We need to stand up for their rights as much as they stand up for ours,?she said.

Pillay added that human rights defenders still faced daunting challenges worldwide.

he work of human rights defenders is as vital today as it has ever been because millions of individuals still suffer directly or indirectly from some form of discrimination every day,?she said.

Pillay noted that women were discrimination against most.

An estimated 370 million people face discrimination in the world.


(2010-12-9/newvision.co.ug)